For Sylvamo, sustainability is not a standalone initiative – it is embedded in how the company operates. By understanding what matters most to its business and stakeholders, it is building a more robust and conscientious future for paper.
That pledge is being reinforced through Sylvamo’s first Double Materiality Assessment (DMA), conducted earlier this year. The DMA identified the environmental and social topics that are most significant to both the business and its stakeholders.
The environmental elements focus on several priorities, including resilient and responsible operations; circular products and sustainable sourcing; and healthy forests that strengthen ecosystems.
Built to last
The first priority centres on ensuring that Sylvamo’s mills operate safely and efficiently. Across its global network, the company manages climate, energy, water and pollution risks through strong governance and continuous improvement. Today, 85% of the energy used across its mills comes from carbon-neutral biomass residuals, supporting its aim of reducing Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by 35% by 2030 against a 2019 baseline. So far, emissions have fallen by 8%.
Water stewardship is equally important. More than 95% of the water used during production is returned to local watersheds, while water can be reused up to ten times before treatment and discharge.
Following a review of site-specific environmental and regulatory risks, Sylvamo has replaced its previous water-intensity target with a total water-use reduction goal. Context-based water stewardship plans will now be implemented at every mill to maximise environmental benefit.
Circularity and sustainable sourcing form the second priority. Paper is one of the world’s most recycled materials, with fibres able to be repurposed up to seven times. Sylvamo’s target of sourcing 100% of its fibre from sustainably managed forests by 2030 has already been achieved, with all fibre globally either FSC or PEFC certified or meeting FSC Controlled Wood requirements.
The company is also reducing waste by designing products and packaging for greater circularity. In Europe, the business has accelerated its transition away from plastic by introducing a fully paper-based packaging solution with a recyclable bio-based wrap.
Responsible by nature
The third priority recognises that paper depends on healthy forests. Every mill maintains FSC and PEFC chain-of-custody certification, securing complete traceability from forest to mill. Through partnerships, including WWF’s Forests Forward programme, Sylvamo supports forest restoration, conservation planning and sustainable sourcing.
Sylvamo’s 2030 conservation and restoration goal is to conserve, enhance or restore 250,000 acres of ecologically significant forestland worldwide. It is already more than 67,000 acres into that target, with progress spanning every single one of its regions.
This long-term undertaking continues to earn external recognition. Sylvamo has received an A rating from CDP for Timber, Supplier Engagement and Forests, reflecting its commitment to responsible sourcing, supply chain engagement and forest stewardship.
By combining resilient operations, circular product design and forest stewardship, Sylvamo is helping to ensure that paper remains a renewable and sustainable choice for generations to come.
